(CNN)There"s no shortage of cool new planes to get excited about in 2016: the narrow-body Bombardier CS100, the next-generation Airbus A350 XWB and the low-riding Boeing 737 MAX.
But there"s nothing like the nostalgic thrill of getting close to some of aviation"s greatest pioneers, from the Bleriot XI that took Louis Bleriot over the English channel in 1909, to the de Havilland Dragon Rapide that carried both General Francisco Franco and Charles de Gaulle on history-changing operations, to the Tupolev Tu-134s that were the workhorses of the Soviet bloc.
Surprisingly, many of history"s most iconic models of plane are still airworthy and even available to fly.
Here are 20 of our favorites and tips on where you might be able to snag a seat.
And if you like these, you can also take a look at our guide to groundbreaking planes of the modern era.
First flight: 1909
In 1909 French aviation pioneer Louis Bleriot completed the first successful crossing of the English Channel by air.
This historic feat earned him a prize of 1,000 ($144,000 in today"s money). The monoplane he used for the crossing was a Bleriot XI. Amazingly, a few of these aircraft are still airworthy.
Granted, given the rarity and fragility of the type, the chances of getting to fly it are next to nil, but it would still be theoretically possible to enjoy the "Bleriot experience."
Where can you fly it?
Two of them, built in 1909, are still airworthy, preserved in museums in the UK -- the Shuttleworth Collection -- and the U.S. (the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome).
These are the oldest flyable aircraft in the world, although due to their fragility they are only flown over short distances on very special occasions.
A Bleriot XI built under license in Sweden in 1918 is also preserved by the Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm and has made occasional appearances at a local air festival.
An exact replica of the Bleriot XI is found at the Canadian Aviation Heritage Centre in Montreal, also in flying condition. Its last outing was in 2014.
Junkers F13
First flight: 1919
German aviation entrepreneur Hugo Junkers came up with an aircraft that was truly ahead of its time.
The F13 was the first all-metal aircraft. Its clean simple lines and cantilever-wing monoplane design anticipate the modern airliner.
This is even more remarkable when we take into account that in the year it first flew, 1919, most aircraft were little more than primitive contraptions made of wood and cloth. The F13, in contrast, even had a closed heated cabin.
Where can you fly it?
It will soon be possible to fly again on the F13.
It won"t be an original airframe, but an exact replica, built by German luggage manufacturer RIMOWA.
The RIMOWA F13 is based at Dubendorf airfield, Switzerland, and it will soon be accepting reservations.
Junkers Ju 52
First flight: 1930
Another product of the Junkers workshop, the German aircraft nicknamed Tante Ju (Auntie Ju) started life in the early "30s as a civilian airliner.
It also saw extensive military service as a transport aircraft with the Luftwaffe during World War II and with multiple air forces and airlines until long after the war was over.
It"s easily recognizable because of its characteristic tri-motor configuration and corrugated metal skin.
Where can you fly it?
To this day, German airline Lufthansa keeps an airworthy Ju 52 in its fleet that can be chartered for special occasions.
Ju-Air of Switzerland, based at Dubendorf (the same airfield where the Junkers F13 replica is also based), operates Ju 52s for pleasure flights.
Other surviving and airworthy Ju 52s are found in South Africa, France and the United States.
De Havilland Dragon Rapide
First flight: 1970
This was Douglas" answer to the Jumbo Jet. Easily recognizable because of its three-engines configuration, one below the tail, the other two in under-wing pods. It first flew in 1970 and was followed later the MD-10 and MD-11, heavily modernized successors.
Where can you fly it?
It has got a lot harder to get to fly on them since Biman, of Bangladesh operated the last DC-10 passenger flight in 2014 and KLM did the same with its last MD-11 in 2015.
There are a few freighters left, but, undoubtedly, the most remarkable surviving DC-10 is the Flying Eye Hospital, operated by charity Orbis International, as a base to provide ophthalmological services to those in need all over the world.
Orbis International plans to replace its DC-10 with a more modern MD-10 -- still part of the same family of aircraft -- donated by FedEx.
Fokker 50
First flight: 1985
Once upon a time not so long ago the Netherlands was a major player in the aircraft-making industry.
The Fokker 50, a propeller airliner designed for regional flights, was one of the most popular products of historical Dutch firm Fokker, which traced its roots back to the very early days of aviation.
Where you can fly it?
To fly on a Fokker 50 you can book a flight with Amapola Flyg of Sweden or charter one from Denim Air of the Netherlands, as celebrated Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren did in 2014.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/02/aviation/20-iconic-aircraft-vintage/index.html
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